Advice on encouraging audience activity?

[Karnage316]

Hi guys - I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on how to encourage people to be active in my community? I'm still a relatively small channel with only 21 subs and views on the videos I've done since I started making an effort on my content in the summer tend to circulate around the double digits (the most views I've had on a video since last June is in the mid 30's) - and while I am getting some likes and a couple of comments, despite me making efforts to engage with people I don't seem to have a lot of activity in my comments. Is there anything more I can do than what I am to help encourage more?

I often ask for people's thoughts on the videos while doing my commentary and sometimes ask questions as to what people would like to see me play in future videos or what they'd like to see from me in future, to try and help direct my content to stuff that people want to see, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. If anyone has any suggestions as to what might help I'd be most appreciative

Thanks!

 

[The NotARubicon!]

For most viewers it is apparently a huge effort for them to leave a comment so it’s normal that only a tiny percentage actually ever do. So if you arent getting a lot of views that translates into not much engagement..
I’ve tried all the tricks too, and they never work - the one thing that i have found DOES work: Make a mistake/say something wrong
Trust me, all the Youtube PHDs will come out of the woodwork to point out that you did/said something wrong.
It works, if you can handle the negativity.

 

[chubbybots]

Alternatively what i did for myself is commenting on other people's videos that are of similar genres. When they see a thoughtful and genuine comment from you, they might check out your channel and also comment back in return ^^

 

[Dave2017]

Try with humor In some of my videos I ask for a like telling that a guy from YouTube called me up and said that my videos ned more likes.. It works for some but the problem with humor is that not all find it funny But if you know your audience this is a great way to get them engaged

 

[Boki]

If you play it safe, comments are not guaranteed. The best way to get comments is:

• Say something wrong (as The NotARubicon! mentioned above)
• Discuss some inflammatory subjects (politics, religion)
• For gaming channels: keep ignoring a game feature that would make your life easier

Of course, that's only for negative comments.
Focus on growing your channel as opposed to getting audience engagement. Comments will come on their own.

 

[vMinti]

For me, what really worked (video got +20 more likes and ~5 more comments than usual, keeping in mind that it's quite a fresh one) is that I've ASKED for some "yt love" so to say. In one funny cut I inserted just before the video ends, I showed a main video game's protagonist throwing a nut to a squirrel (who symbolised me in a way) with a flying text above the nut asking to sub / comment / like. And yeah, well, the cut showed an extremely happy and excited squirrel afterwards.

The way I did it is not a point. I'd say - simply ask for it, ask for the feedback. But make sure to think of more creative and engaging ways to do so, then you'll make a nice bond with your audience.

 

[evoloz]

I've found asking really specific questions to be the most effective way of getting comments (ie. try to avoid asking what you think of the video but instead ask how is the microphone quality, any crackles or pops?) I've just found people find it easier to answer direct questions than broader ones but perhaps others have found this not to be true?

 

[Magic Pete]

That’s a well known problem. I make videos of a specialised subject and these are posted on YT as ‘Unlisted’. From there I put links into our club’s on-line magazine where members can, and do view the videos. I have been doing this for a couple of years at least, but not one member has ever commented, either in the magazine or on YT. I’m sure the suggestion of putting in a deliberate mistake might work, but I’m not too keen on that.

I realise that this is no answer to the problem, but just my experience. Pete.